84-Year-old Doctor Loses Her License Because She Doesn't Know How To Use A Computer

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84-Year-old Doctor Loses Her License Because She Doesn't Know How To Use A Computer

AP/Michael Casey

An 84-year-old doctor lost her medical license after the discovery of her computer illiteracy.

Dr. Anna Konopka from New London, New Hampshire has been using a manual system to keep track of her handwritten files, which include her patients' medical conditions, and various prescriptions.

While the New Hampshire Board of Medicine alleges Konopka's inability to use a computer impedes on her organizational skills, it's not their only claim against the doctor.

They also cite her refusal to register with the state's mandatory drug monitoring program is another severe hindrance on the medical community, the Associated Press reports.

"The problem now is that I am not doing certain things on computer," Konopka said. "I have to learn that. It is time consuming. I have no time."

The program - which came into effect in 2014 - requires all physicians to register the quantities of opioids they prescribe, in a bid to mitigate the chances of a drug overdoses.

There have been several claims made against Konopka - who emigrated from Poland in 1961 and has been treated patients in New London since 1989 - with one stemming from her treatment of a 7-year-old patient with asthma. She was accused of leaving the boy's medicinal dosage up to his parents and failing to treat him with daily inhaled steroids.

However, when confronted with the allegations, Konopka was quick to set the story straight, by making it clear the patient was never in harm's way and "the issue was that the boy's mother disregarded her instructions."

Coming from a era without today's advancement in modern technology, Konopka admits she only has a landline in her tiny home-office and the concept of sending an email is challenging.

She said while she's not opposed to be trained on a computer, she refuses to purchase an electronic record system for her office due to the cost the machine would impose.

"I can't afford that. Everything is expensive. I would have to raise the fee and many people don't have insurance," she said. "I'm interested in helping people. I didn't go to medicine for money, and I didn't make money."

Several patients have come to Konopka's defense by writing about the physician's excellent treatment, which were given to the New Hampshire Union Leader.

Registered nurse, Susan Grace Nagel said she's driven her children 170 miles for appointments with the former doctor.

"No distance could keep me from getting my children the best care I could possibly find," she wrote.

When denied to have her license reissued in court on Friday, Konopka was told if she wishes to pursue further action, she must  file for reconsideration with the Board of Medicine.

Do you think Konopka's medical license should be reinstated?

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